Events
GRABBING
THE GOLD! ‑ A FINAL
FUND RAISING CAMPAIGN
This is it! The final "hurdle"!
In March, Wendy Roy, Executive Director of
the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation, informed us that anonymous
donors, having heard that we have about $40,000 left to raise, gave us a
challenge match of $20,000. What an amazing gift! That means that if
we can raise just $20,000 more, we should be finished! (We do hold our
collective breaths regarding price increases since last summer, but we
remain optimistic.)
You might be asking, "if the track was paid
for through the "Buy‑A‑Meter" campaign, where will this $40,000 be
allocated?" Answer: completing the discus, shot put, long and triple
jump, and high jump areas; renovating the ball diamond; seeding,
including topsoil; all other finishing work.
This final campaign, "Grabbing the Gold"
completes the "Imagery" invitation Project Director Ann McGarry
presented when she wrote "Imagine yourself breaking the tape. Imagine
your perfect throwing form. Imagine the perfect hurdle clearances. (We
can add ‘Imagine the perfect hop, skip and jump!’) And imagine a
practice track at Bigfork." Raising the last $20,000 will provide our
athletes with a facility to match their dedication and competitive drive
towards Gold, Silver, Bronze and personal bests.
To this end, three fund raisers are planned
‑ an Alumni Benefit Concert, a combination Auction/Rummage Sale, and a
final appeal to alumni, friends, businesses, and organizations. Each of
these is described as follows:
The First Fundraiser: ALUMNI BENEFIT
CONCERT
Edge
Center for the Arts, Bigfork - Saturday, May 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m.
Free Will
Offering - Y’all Come! Let’s pack the house!
Aaron
Gabriel, ’95 - emcee, vocalist
and pianist
Aaron has spent the last
ten years working as a theater director, actor, writer and composer at a
variety of Twin Cities venues including the Guthrie Theater, Ordway
Center, Theater Latte Da, the Children’s Theater Company, States Theater
Company and Interact Center for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Currently, he is directing "Anansi: The Trickster Spider" at
Steppingstone Theater and in June will be assistant director for "You’re
a Good Man, Charlie Brown" with Stages Theater Company (which will tour
to Bigfork). He also runs a private piano studio.
Andrea Cole, ‘04 ‑
emcee, vocalist
Andrea attends Augsburg
College (major in sociology and minor in theatre arts). She is a member
of both the Women’s and Augsburg choir. She has performed with the
choirs in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Germany as well as in the
States. She has acted in three plays and one movement piece. Andrea
presently works at Lifeworks, Inc helping adults with mental
disabilities enhance their job skills.
Kim Harrington, ‘70
‑ guitar and vocals
Kim acquired his love for music prenatally
as his mom sang to him continuously! He began composing at age 20. His
CD "Night Rider’s Lament" is a "must have". Kim will perform whenever
and wherever he gets a chance. He is a construction supervisor in the
"green" wind turbine industry.
Anna
Harrington Ostendorf
‘99 ‑ vocals
Anna is a part‑time student
at the U of M, Mpls. Her concentration is Religious Studies. She is a
full‑time wife and mother of two. Her life has been filled with music
since childhood, although these days most of her singing is done along
with the stereo or to entertain her daughters.
Kayla Scrivner ‘99 ‑ West
African Drumming
Kayla is the Program
Director at the Inner Harbour AmeriCorps, a tutoring‑based, residential
program near Atlanta, GA for at‑risk youth. Inner Harbour’s
Therapeautic Drumming Program, of which Kayla is a member, offers youth
the opportunity to learn traditional rhythms and culture, allowing them
to work through emotional and social issues important to their
recovery. AmeriCorps members drum with their students and as a team.
Eric
Scrivner ‘01 ‑ West African
Drumming
Prior to beginning medical
school last fall at the U of MN ‑ Duluth, Eric served with AmeriCorps
for two years at the same facility as Kayla. There he also discovered
West African hand drumming. He is one of the founding members, along
with Kayla and other staff, of 10 Blocks Away, a professional drumming
group that performs in and around Atlanta. The group has performed at
the National VSA Arts Festival. Eric apprenticed with a drum builder
and is now able to build his own drums. Eric is often found
enthusiastically drumming rhythms on his books as he studies.
Robin Custer ‘65
and friend Dave Waters ‑ fiddle and mandolin
Both musicians are
self‑taught, Robin at age 12 and Dave at 14. They have been performing
together for three years, delighting audiences in jam sessions, at
Bigfork Valley Villa and anywhere they can. They especially appreciate
traditional music.
Draper Daniels
L-R: Phil Haire, Mike Danielson, Scott
Skaja, Jeff Draper.
Calling Minneapolis home,
Draper Daniels’ music is quite simply heartland rock, their music
dripping of human emotion and passion. The band has just finished
recording their third release Back to Talmoon.
Mike Danielson
picked up a
guitar when he was 8 and soon the northern Minnesota native dreamed of
the day he would write and record his own songs. 43 years later, Mike
is a man of strong social consciousness and integrity and his music
reflects that conviction.
Growing up in urban
Minneapolis, Mike became friends with schoolmate Jeff Draper who
also had a passion and talent for music. Jeff’s classical style nicely
compliments Mike’s songs. The two performed with several local groups
until 1995 when they formed Draper Daniels. In 2004, with a library of
more than 40 original songs, they added a rhythm section in the person
of Phil Haire.
Hailing from Plymouth, MA,
Phil’s musical background started in 1967 while he was in the Navy,
stationed in Guam, when he was handed a guitar left behind in the
barracks. Phil’s experience led him through several Twin Cities bands
before joining Mike. He brought along with him good friend
Scott Skaja.
Scott’s drums and percussion
career began at age 13 when he began playing in his father’s group.
Scott played in several different pop and blues groups with Phil
beginning in 1990.
Draper Daniels has
developed a plan for their music that will take their sound beyond the
upper Midwest. They are currently touring in support of their recent
release, Back to Talmoon. (Now there’s a name we recognize!)
Alycia Hoff, Director,
BHS Chorus
The Chorus will perform a "March for Bigfork", an original piece created
by Aaron Gabriel especially for this occasion. It commemorates the
people who work together to build community, the latest example of which
is the construction of the Gordon Campbell Memorial Athletic Complex.
The
Second Fund Raiser: COMBINATION AUCTION AND RUMMAGE SALE - Village
Hall, Bigfork
Saturday,
June 14, 2008 ‑ Wilderness Days – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Auction 1:00 p.m.
Indoors if raining, outdoors
if shining, this event provides merchandise of all varieties at bargain
prices. Larger, more expensive offerings will be placed at auction.
People wishing to donate
clothing or other items should contact Irl Sinclair at 218‑245‑1619 or
at PRIVATE HREF="mailto:airedale7@hotmail.com." MACROBUTTON
HtmlResAnchor airedale7@hotmail.com or Judi Nixon at Bigfork
School, 743‑3444 or PRIVATE HREF="mailto:sanselmo@isd318.org."
MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor jnixon@isd318.org. The alumni
committee can arrange for pickup of your items. Only items in good
condition please.
The
Third Fund Raiser: "Grabbing the
Gold"
Campaign ‑ final appeal
Unlike the "Buy‑A‑Meter" Campaign which asked for $50 per meter, the
"Grabbing the Gold" Campaign has not set a specific amount. All
contributions of any size are most welcome and accepted with gratitude.
Remember, your contribution is matched, dollar for dollar, by our
anonymous donors (see page 2 top) and is tax deductible. Contributors
will be recognized on a plaque to be created when the athletic complex
is completed. Contributions can be sent to: Alumni Committee,
Bigfork School, PO Box 228, Bigfork, MN 56628 (see gold response sheet).
Raffle
After 7 months of ticket selling in 2007, the winners
were announced at half time of the last home game before the winter holiday
break. Those winners were:
Kindee Porter, Bigfork, Strikemaster 9" Auger; Ryan
Trenberth, Hibbing, Clam 5x6 Portable Fish House; Jim Lester, Effie,
Lowrance Fish Finder - Ice Package; Mitch Long, Bigfork, $100.00 in cash;
Emily Dunlap, Effie, Rod and Reel Combination; Harold Hayungs, Britt, IA,
Rod and Reel Combination; Jerry Mariano, Grand Rapids, Decorator Clock;
Dennis Lake, Grand Rapids, Decorator Lamp; Eric Northard, Grand Rapids,
Handcrafted Item; Jeff LeSarge, Grand Rapids, Handcrafted Item. Thanks to
CUB Foods of Grand Rapids who donated $1000 for the prizes, and to Greg
Anselmo of Antler Lake Store who sold us the prizes at or below cost, and to
Anton and Virginia Wass who donated that handcrafted items. Thanks also to
all those who purchased raffle tickets!
Results
from the Buy-A-Meter campaign
Wow! Words Can
Not Express....
Words, indeed,
can not express the deep appreciation and gratitude felt by the alumni
committee and by the track athletes and coaches, towards those who supported
the Buy-A-Meter Campaign for the Gordon Campbell Memorial Track. At the
close of deadline day, July 15, for the dollar for dollar match by Bigfork
Valley, 761 out of 800 meters had been sold. The result - $38,050 was
raised and was matched. Truly, without each meter purchased and matched,
our track would be only a dream this year. Now it's becoming a reality.
Thank you to
NIECI who published our progress each month in Watts News. Thank you to the
Bigfork Valley Hospital Board who generated total enthusiasm by their
generous match. Thank you to the First State Bank of Bigfork which bought
100 meters right in the middle of the campaign and raised that enthusiasm a
great deal as we headed towards "the finish line".
Thanks TO
EVERYONE WHO BOUGHT METERS: (listed in order of "purchase") Scott & Renee
Patrow, Gerald & Norane Stejskal, Jim & Joan Lester, Irl & Margaret
Sinclair, Floyd & Bonnie Cole, Barry & Patty Feld, Julie Nikolai, Jacquelyn
Olsen, Jim & Ann McGarry, Jim Cox, Ken Dvorak, Char Bailey, Marg & John
Nathe, Jim & Phyllis Bjork, John & Lynn Nachbar, Dave & Judy Baldwin, Alden
& Alice Olson, Paul & Rhonda Zimmer, Ron & Rose Danielson, Paul, Beth and
Lily Danielson, Bell & Melissa Coleman, Jeff & Nancy Scrivner, Hastings Dirt
Work, Heidi, Nicole & Leeann Korstad, Dick & Kathleen Munson.
Jesse & Angie
Storlie, Bekah & Scott Storlie, Steve Daigle, Bette Freeberg, Charlene Mayo,
Red & Janice Haley, Patrick Sharp, Jordan & Jacob Beach, Tim & Karen Senger,
Ellsworth L. Anderson, Paul Nisius, Earl & Shirley Romnes, Archie & Sandy
Wass, Carol Engh, Dave Johnson Enterprises, Matt Zimmer, Don & Lori Niles,
Jeff & Mindy Bohman, Rafe O'Brien, Wayne Pender, Marvin Mitchell, Foster-Bjorge
VFW Post 1764, The Huskie Cafe, Kayla Salazar, Michael Craig, Rick Streeter
DDS, Jean DeVries, Eugene & Laura Rajala, Don & Florence Powell, Effie
Country Service, Dan & Julie Goble, JAG Photography, Lynda Ross.
Milo & Joanne
Aakhus, William "Per" Knight, Harvey Hietala, Richard Booth, Greg & Nancy
Thurston & Family, Eric & Kim Elhardt, Ralph Kermen Aakhus, James Welte,
Dennis & Sue Carlson, In Memory of Shirley Page, Sam & Gwen Patrow, Nick
Ostendorf, Mariann Wihela, Mercedies Campbell, Floyd & Doris Hennagir,
Dennis & Yvonne Sharp, Ray Cole, John Greene, Ronald & Nina Collins, Morris
& Jackie Lund, Si & Marlene Brannan, Randy & Kay Rohwer, Scott & Marcella
Johnston, Jim & Shirley Wicklund, In memory of Floyd Johnston, Cary & Riki
McManus, Marlene & Dale Herr, Theresa DeLorme, Steve DeRider.
John Mihelich,
John & Wendy Gustafson, Richard Anderson, Tracy J. Laumann, Robert Haines,
Arthur Erickson, Baptist Foundation of Indiana, Anthony & Siri Prato, Liam &
Eleanor Prato, Paul & Myradel Hedblom, Steve & Joyce Manske, In Memory of
James Booth, Class of '79, Bigfork Township Board, Tom & Sandy Boland, Brad
Grove, Charlene Bluntach, Paul Kocian, Randall & Shelly Patten, Mike & Tammy
Warren, Robert & Sharon Pearson, Sue Myers, Greg Powell, Lial & Bonnie
Pederson, Dion Johnson, Lloyd Weisert, Mrs. J.E. Johnson, Margie Lubbers, In
Loving Memory from the Family of Tony Egerdahl, Joan & Gale Prato, In Memory
of Bill & Adeline Prato, Linda & Shawn Johnson, Michael Kaczor, David Haley
Family, Jonathan & Lisa Holliday, Maria & Peter May, Jim & Diane Vojta.
Peloquin
Family, Brian & Lyn Rajala, R. Reed & Nancy Peterson, In Memory of Fred
Argir, Bob & Diane Davis, John & Roxanne Romnes, Leroy & Anna Salmonson,
Kelly McGarry, Diane Marthaler, Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, Honoring Rand
Vernon Jensen, Class of '76, People In Business Care, Nancy Bement, Dan &
Nichole Baker, Tom & Karen Thomas, Kayla & Eric Scrivner, Suanne & Kate
Dullard, Mason & Peyton Argir, Brad & Connie Lovdahl, Heather, Chad, Zac &
Josh Lovdahl, Corey, Lynette, Jared & Jackson Lovdahl, Curt, Amy, Alicia &
Cole Youngkin, NIECI Round-Up, Tiger Textiles, Richard & Joyce Runyon.
Jeff & Kellie
Lakso, Floor to Ceiling Store, Pete & Paula Taylor, Coldwell Banker
Northwoods Realty, Maki Body & Glass, Hawk Construction Inc., Gino & Sandy
Anselmo, Clausiau Sales & Rental Inc., First State Bank of Bigfork, Eye
Fashions Optical Shoppe Inc., In Memory of Wendell Carl Freeberg, Bette
Freeberg, Betina Kacon, Belinda Matheson, Montavon Motors, Dale's Auto Body
Inc., George & Meredie Rounds, Karla Pula, Hjalmer & Julia Johnson Family,
Law Office of Shaw & Shaw, Frank & Noreen Anselmo, Joe & Teresa Silko, Reed
Drug Inc., Tom Brandt, Betty & Gene Brandt, Undem Law Office, Gerald
Anderson.
Automotive
Electric Service Inc., Luke Cleath Memorial, A.S.V. Inc., Ardean & Betty
Aakhus, Bigfork Ambulance Service Association, Dennis & Camalia Johnson,
Peloquin Family Partnership, Charmaine Leonhard, Wilbur & Helen Booth, Dan &
Penny Holcomb, Randolph Rajala, T&T Excavating, In Memory of Orbin Holt, S.
J. King, Sharon Ludtke, Jeff & Pam Johnson, Jim & Maren Hagen, Acheson Tire
Inc., Paul & Diane Hanson, Nicole Rosandich, Chuck & Ozzie Schwegman,
Blandin Paper Company, Enstrom Studio Inc., Matt Sorentino, In Memory of
Brother Clifford J. Davis, David & Ann Davis, Mike & Darla Kocian, Ty & Jeri
Lacher-Bischoff, Cohasset Concrete Products, Alumni Reunion Events
Donations, Ed & Shirley Sorrentino, Bill & Denyse Trebs, Kenneth Carlson,
Todd & Tara Holsman.
David Nelson,
Susan Wass, ACS Arvig Enterprises Inc., Roberta Steinhart, Bob & Judi Nixon,
Powell Auto Sales & Service, Glorvigen, Theis, Lind & Company, James
Laurilla, Scott & Janice Baker, Harvey & Nancy Moland, Ed & Kristen
Anderson, Justin, Garrett, Ron & Kim Mann, Ron & Judy Carlson, John & Chris
Chernugal, Larry, Wendy, Christopher, Caitlin & Josh Choat, Thomas & Yvonne
O'Brien, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Senior Class of 2007, BHS Sports Booster
Club, Tarry & Polly Edington, Right-way Driving School, Jerry Hagen & Marcie
Lindgren, Bigfork School Letterpeople's Club, Murray & Carol Mills, Greg &
Anita Anselmo, Bret Sinclair, Micah Myers, Bill & Pat Paulick, Pacific
Adventure, Scott & Joan Olson, Jordan, Dakota & Gabe Vezina, Joe & Sue
Robertson, Gary & Billy Sieckert, Grand Rapids Optimist Club, Byron & Ann
Sugden, In Memory of Wendell E. Evensen. Meters were also purchased through
combined smaller donations from alumni, friends, relatives, and community
members which came in throughout the campaign.
Since the
deadline, 20 additional meters have been purchased by Sean McGarry, the
Eagles Auxiliary 2469, John Jacobson, Leo & Dawn Kern, Burt Abrams, William
Schaeppi, Sophie Weisert, and Kyle & Eric Johnson.
News flash: As of November,
2007, ALL THE METERS WERE SOLD and then some.
The donors who
purchased meters since the above list was posted are:
Roberta
Steinhart, Mike Tammy, Chad & Cory Adams, In memory of Betty Lou Gustafson,
Jean Marconett, Jerry Kaczor, James & Patricia Schaffran, Gary & Barb Miles,
Mark & Renae Rasmussen, Dennis & Yvonne Sharp, Carol, Sharon, Nancy & Amy
Pifher, Doris Walls Phelps, Paul & Kristi Gustafson, Wes & Sharon Waller,
Alfred & Berta Kjeldson, VFW Auxiliary Post 1720, In memory of Jess Lund,
Jerry & Nancy Holt, Ida Peloquin Haugen, Northern Treasures Floral & Gifts,
The Lamson Family Trust, Kerry Apel, In memory of Bill Knotts, and Farrell &
Judith Gunelius.